Sousuke pays a visit to Haru with a present and Rin is very pleased

Humour and fluff ensue

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DarkPheonix666

Haru padded towards the front door quietly, she had heard someone knocking and knew it couldn't be Makoto, he was still away on his family trip still. And it sure as hell wouldn't be her parents as they were away on business which is why she lived alone. So, who on earth was it?

Honestly this whole experience had been an endless list of surprises and events, both good and bad. She never knew what to predict and the experience was stressful for both Rin and herself depending on the situation. For once she would like it if things went smoothly so she could have a break.

Nagisa and Rei would be spending time together, Gou would be busy working on the club and spending time with her friends. She didn't really speak to anyone else outside of school, since they were her closest friends. So, she really had no clue who it could be or what they would want.

Besides, if they were coming over they would have told her first anyway instead of showing up out of the blue. They all had phones and they made sure to use them in the long run. She racked her mind of who could be visiting her and nothing came up. Honestly, she was shocked and confused that someone she didn't know about was knocking at her door.

Even if it was a neighbour, they always made sure to call out to inform her. Everyone in this neighbourhood was polite towards each other and respected their privacy, if they weren't in they would leave a note or whatever it was outside. That way she had a guess of who it could be from the sound of their voice when standing outside her door.

However, she went to answer the door politely as to not leave them waiting too long, always willing to help others no matter who they were. But the person she met on the other side left herself and Rin a little bit shaken. It was the last person in the world she would have expected to visit her. Making her wonder if this was a dream and she had fallen asleep at some point without realizing it.

There standing at the doorway holding a plastic bag was Sousuke. The only other person she knew who had blue eyes and black hair like herself, leaving some people to think they were cousins for whatever reason. Of course, of all the people to come during this time it had to be him. Not that she hated the guy but this was really bad timing.

Sure, Sousuke was Makoto's boyfriend and Rin's childhood friend. But she didn't always get on well with him. He tended to rub her the wrong way and his attitude wasn't great either. He was a kind and caring guy deep down, but his stoic attitude and often abrasive attitude gave off an aura of unsettling kinds. Though over time she had gotten used to him.

But as to not give anything away, Haru composed herself and raised an eyebrow suspiciously. Though she would not usually act this way, given the situation she was more on edge than she usually was. "What brings you here? I had the idea you weren't too keen on me" she replied bluntly.

Though they had no real quarrel, for a while she was hurt that Sousuke saw her as a bother to Rin. Seeing as she herself had no idea of what caused Rin to hate her in the past anyway, only learning why later on. Avoiding him like the plague after he said such rude things to her, only later apologizing after Rin forced him to.

They were on better terms now of course, but she was still not happy about the fact that he was here. If he saw Rin he would just berate her and demand to know what was going on. She didn't need more stress on top of the stress she was already going through, it would just become too much for her to handle.

Sousuke shifted awkwardly, he had been forced to ask Gou where Haruka lived. He had never once spoken to the woman outside of the swim team so he had no other information on her. However, after hearing that she had taken Rin in when he wasn't feeling good despite him showing up out of the blue. He was none the less grateful for her being so kind to him.

"Gou…. She told me. I was told that Rin wasn't feeling too good and came to you for help" he explained awkwardly. Though he understood Rin must have had his reasons, he was still a little hurt he was keeping secrets. They were supposed to be best friends and yet he was hearing about this now? He wondered why of all people, Rin had never told him that he felt so badly.

He wondered when Rin had stopped telling him things and relying on him. I mean isn't that what best friends did, shared their problems and worries with one another no matter what. Sharing their dreams, hopes and aspirations for the future, pushing one another to achieve that goal. Being there no matter what happened along the way, though the good and the bad?

Meanwhile Rin was hiding upstairs, curled up in a ball as his heart raced like a hammer. Mentally panicking about how Sousuke had come at the worst possible time, hell Haru had even given legit excuses to avoid this. What the hell was Sousuke doing here? The last thing he needed was for anyone from Samezuka to find out about this.

He felt bad about hiding this and knew it was bound to make them worried. But he did it out of good intentions and to prevent any uncomfortable situations for him in the future. Nobody would take him seriously or believe it was actually him. He had run to Haru because she could keep secrets and he felt safe with her. He couldn't tell Sousuke or he would have freaked the hell out.

He would have blamed Haru or demanded Haru to find a way to undo it. When in fact she was as much in the dark about this whole situation as he was. Neither having a clue what to do and just going with the flow. I mean they may as well make the best of it and Rin had been freaked out enough as it was when he first came to her.

Let alone he didn't want his other teammates to see him like this, that would only make things worse for the both of them. They would just ask questions and freak him out further, which is why she made the excuses and lies. Given how scared he had been at the time, going to her was the best plan.

Sousuke then held up the bag which looked rather full, making Haru wonder what the hell he had brought. I mean, she already did shopping as it was so why would he come all this way to give her groceries? She took the bag silently but before she could ask what it was, Sousuke cut her off. Obviously desperate to know about his teammate "Is he ok?" he asked sternly his voice showing his concern.

Haru was rather taken aback by his rather abrupt question, blinking silently before she answered his question. Of course he would be worried and rather understandably so, I mean he and Rin were best friends as well as roommates. "He's asleep right now. He pushed himself too much so I put him to bed" she replied.

She felt bad for lying given how Sousuke was really worried about Rin, but she had a feeling Rin wouldn't want his friend to see him in his current state. He didn't want Sousuke to see him like this, a sense of shame and embarrassment about it. So, she would rather lie and save the awkward situation for them both.

Sousuke softened, relief visibly washing over him. For once he was glad that Haru was so abrupt and stubborn, because in the long run it would help Rin recover while he was sick. Pushing himself would only make his condition worse and possibly damage his future as swimmer. He needed to take care of his body more if he planned on becoming a professional swimmer.

He then turned his gaze to the plastic bag she was now holding "Its meat. I thought Rin may appreciate it when he feels better…" he trailed off. Then averting his gaze to Haru. He knew that Rin and Haru shared a strong bond and he saw her in a special light above everyone else. He didn't even pretend to not notice the strong sexual tension between the two.

No matter where they were when they met up, you could smell it in the air. Many of the others in the group wondering and placing bets on when they would finally get together or at least confess their feelings. Rin often had her on his mind and no matter how hard he denied it, anyone could see it.

"Nanase. I know we haven't always seen eye to eye, but I do appreciate you doing this" he replied. For her to be nursing Rin back to health despite their differences meant a lot to him. Putting aside her own training and schoolwork to take care of Rin, it showed she had a big heart. To cast aside her own needs and issues to take care of another human being.

Haru softened as he said this to her, a pleasant aura surrounding her. Though she had her odds with Sousuke, she was genuinely happy to hear such a thing from him. And here she just thought he was a stoic jerk. Now she could understand why Rin and Makoto liked him so much, he really wasn't that bad a guy.

Sousuke then nodded and turned to leave, ready to return to the dorm to reassure the other team members. Seeing as he was the only rational member he had opted to go. However, seeing how Haru was taking such good care of Rin it was clear to see he was in good hands. So, they hadn't nothing to worry about and simply wait for him to get better.

Haru watched him leave before closing the door behind her, now in a better mood than she had been before. Peering into the bag and was pleased to find decent quality meat inside, since she usually lived off of a fish diet. Not that she hated meat, but she just found fish to be a lot tastier in her opinion, plus it was healthy.

However, her peaceful silence was cut short by the interruption of a familiar maroon haired boy. Curious to know what his team member had come all this way for in the first place. "What's that?" Rin asked curiously. Though he felt bad for thinking so, he was so glad Sousuke left. If he had asked to come in he would have panicked at the thought of being found out.

Haru turned to Rin with a rather pleased look "Meat" she replied casually. Who knew Sousuke could be so gracious, it was really good quality too which made her happy. With how much she had, she could put some aside and place it in the fridge to use in another dish later on. Seems dinner this week would be of high quality.

Rin's eyes lit up upon hearing this, after eating fish for so long eating meat would be a blessing. He knew fish was healthy and all but he didn't know how Haru could eat it all the time. "Can we make curry?" Rin begged eagerly. It felt like forever since he had eaten some. Plus, Haru made the best curry, regardless of what kind of meat she used as an ingredient.

Haru nodded and made her way into the kitchen while Rin followed eagerly. A giant smile on his face as he did so, smiling eagerly like a cat who had got the cream. It was no secret that of all the things that Rin loved most of all, meat was high up on that list. Plus given his sharp teeth it had become a running joke.


Haru sighed as she stood quietly by the cooker, now understanding why mothers were often so short tempered. She had more respect for single mothers and mothers in general after this. Having to deal with so much stress, energy and endless problems was so exhausting and it had only been a week. They really didn't get enough credit for half the shit they dealt with in life.

She sure as hell had come close to snapping on some days but others had found it rather easy. Having days where she saw him as nothing less than an adorable little angel. Each day was different as was her mood, never knowing what to expect or what to do. Just having to go with the flow and expecting the unexpected every time.

Rin was now stood by her as she prepped the curry. Gripping onto her leg and gazing up at her with wide eyes, wanting to see what she was doing as every second passed. Though his innocence was rather adorable, he could also be somewhat troublesome which was very tiresome. Making her semi wonder, when he would eventually revert back to normal.

"Haru, what are you doing?" Rin asked eagerly as he peered up at her. He could smell onions and spices, but what about the meat? When would she use the meat? So far he hadn't seen her cook anything but vegetables, did that mean she wasn't going to use the meat? But she had promised they would have curry for dinner.

Haru sighed heavily, though she was underage a drink sounded great right now. The stress of the situation and Rin's endless pestering sure as hell wasn't helping the situation much either. "I'm cooking Rin" she replied bluntly. He could see clearly what she was doing, so why ask?

Rin gripped her tighter, his maroon eyes shining eagerly as the different scents wafted up his nose. He always got excited when Haru cooked because her food was always so delicious, his mouth watering at just the scent. "Will it be ready soon? How long is it going to be?" he asked eagerly.

Haru sighed again, now understanding the annoying part of parenting. Gripping the pan handle tightly in her hand "Rin, this will take a while. Please go play or take a nap until its done" she replied sternly. Though she sounded cruel, it was simply frustration. She needed to cook and the cooker was dangerous, so she needed to concentrate and Rin clinging to her wasn't helping.

Rin pouted but released her, he was just curious and now that he was a child he could see things. The world was completely different to him compared to when he was a kid. He then padded towards the sitting area where they would be having dinner. His new state sad and troubled, unhappy that Haru had just snapped at him like that.

He didn't mean to upset her or get in the way, he had just been curious as to what she had been doing. He wondered if being a kid had messed with his brain a little as everything seemed different now. He knew had he been an adult he would have waited patiently and just found some way to pass the time until the food was done.

Haru peered over at him while cooking, feeling guilty for snapping at him. She was just stressed and tended to concentrate a lot while cooking as she took it very seriously. However, it seemed Rin had only wanted to help and meant no harm. So, she may as well cheer him up instead of making him sulk for the rest of the evening instead.

"Rin. If you need something to do can you look out the plates please?" Haru asked kindly. She knew Rin meant well and if she gave him something to do, it would help pass the time quicker and she could get dinner made sooner. If he helped with the prep work she would be really grateful, since she couldn't leave the cooker.

Rin's eyes lit up and he visibly cheered up, happy that Haru was no longer annoyed at him. He then hurried off to find the utensils and table decorations for dinner. Haru sighed and smiled to herself, though he could be a lot of hard work as a child. Rin had his endearing moments throughout and was none the less rather adorable.